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NON-FI NI TE PHRASES - PRACTI CAL CLASSES 11

I I dentify and bracket the -ing non-finite phrases. Then state whether they are participial or gerund
phrases.
1. Hearing a loud noise, we ran to the window.
2. He ruined his sight by watching TV all day.
3. I like watching the discovery channel.
4. We saw a clown standing on his head.
5. Asking questions is a whole lot easier than answering them.
6. Waving their hands, the audience cheered the winner.
7. Plucking flowers is forbidden.
8. Jumping over the fence, the thief escaped.
9. I was surprised at Johns being absent.
10. A miser hates spending his money.
12. John was angry at Alice trying to lie to her.
13. Praising all alike is praising none.
14. Are you afraid of speaking the truth?
15. Singing to herself is her chief delight.
16. The man sitting by the library door is waiting for his wife to finish her research.
17. After reading the newspaper story, Josephine immediately called to volunteer.
18. My cooking rises to an art form.
19. Four people watched the young acrobat teetering across the tightrope.
20. A major part of the Secret Service's job is protecting the President.
21. He was bragging about winning all four races.
22. The Smiths appreciated our helping them paint the new house.
24. Ernie's problem, being late for just about every appointment, resulted in his suspension at work.
25. Bill's idea of fun is watching cartoons every Saturday morning.
26. We enjoyed visiting the new museum.
27. Ms. Jones had a valid excuse for coming to the party late.
28. Alex, staring intently through the binoculars, saw two red-headed woodpeckers.
29. Lowering the interest rate can stimulate the economy.
30. The art collector gazed adoringly at his recent purchase: two drawings by Renoir.
31. Jamming too much clothing into a washing machine will result in disaster.
32. Jamming too much clothing into the washing machine, Aamir saved $1.25 but had to tolerate the
curious stares of other laundry patrons as his machine bucked and rumbled with the heavy load.
33. Bernard hates buttering toast with a fork.
34. Buttering toast with a fork, Bernard vowed that he would finally wash the week's worth of dirty
dishes piled in the sink.
35. My dog's most annoying habit is hogging the middle of the bed.
36. Last night I had to sleep on the couch because I found my dog Floyd hogging the middle of the
bed.
37. So, you think beating eggs with a fork is acceptable, do you?

II Bracket the infinitive phrases and state their function in the sentence:

1. Because he loved French, Pierre refused to speak any other language.
2. The most important thing to do is not always obvious.
3. To keep the passageways clear, they blocked the pedestrian traffic.
4. The student had four questions to ask the instructor after class.
5. To do well in that class, you must spend hours in the library.
6. To do well in that class is my primary goal this semester.
7. Hemingway reeled the fish in slowly to keep it securely on the line.
8. We finally found the best actor to play that difficult role.
9. Jones is attempting to eat forty-five hot dogs.
10. The salesperson altered his pitch to suit each potential buyer.
11. The governor's plan to fix the budget only made problems worse.

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12. My grandmother's attempt to skateboard ended in disaster.
13. We began to suspect our neighbors of vandalism.
14. Malcolm struggled hard to free himself.
15. He tried to make picnic lunches for the team.
16. FEMA has come to clear away the debris from the storm.
17. We all have the right to give voice to our opinions.
18. To get more votes, I called everyone I knew.
19. Your attempts to hurt my feelings have been unsuccessful.
20. The governor's plan to fix the budget only made problems worse.
21. Henry brought Jeri a ring to show his love.
22. Each year Manning tried to find more deductions for his tax return.
23. To patch the hole in the tire, the mechanic inserted a plug.
24. She learned to read and write English in Kenya.
25. Eric's desire to do everything perfectly will eventually frustrate him.
26. To pay that much money for a television is foolish.
27. Yesterday Smith exercised all day to lose some weight before the wedding.
28. His only ambition was to succeed at his job.
29. To attempt an explanation for this phenomenon would do little good.
30. To be alone can be frightening.
31. Eric stood by the window to watch for his sister's arrival.
32. Hal firmly intends to buy a hybrid car.
33. World War I was a war to end all wars.
34. He had to stand on his tiptoes to see the group on stage.
35. Mel is making a kite to fly in the contest.
36. Bob's New Year's resolution is to exercise at least three times each week.
37. Last Thursday was an evening to remember.
38. To get enough points for that prize, you must purchase at least $100 worth of merchandise.
39. There is only one right way to do this math problem.
40. Every employee's ambition is to be assigned to the London office.

III Change the adverbial clauses to infinitive phrases. Note which phrases may appear in more
than one position. Use commas after the introductory infinitive phrases.

1. He bought the most expensive theatre tickets in order that he might be close to the stage.
2. In order that he might save his wife some household drudgery, he bought her a washer and
dryer.
3. I would be ashamed if I lived in such a dirty house.
4. He will do anything if he might have the chance to see her again.
5. We will have to mail this package today in order that it might get there on time.
6. He decided to go to school at night in order that he might study engineering.
7. You would be surprised if you learned how much it costs to live there.
8. We were pleased because we saw how well the work was done.
9. If our dance is to be successful, we must prepare everything carefully beforehand.

I V Change the infinitive phrases from active to passive. Omit all subjects or objects.

1. No one likes (anyone to laugh at him).
2. (For people to think well of him) has always been important to him.
3. It disturbs him ( for anyone to impose on him).
4. they dont intend (for anyone to interfere with them).
5. (For people to look up to him) has been his dream for many years.
6. He doesnt like (anyone to look down on him).
7. She didnt expect (the teacher to call on her) in class.

V Replace the words in parentheses by an infinitive plus a particle. Use an active or passive
infinitive.

1. The best person (whom you should talk to) is the factory superintendent.
2. He would like to have more tasks (which he can be responsible for)
3. I have a few more matters (which I must attend to) before I can leave.

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4. He needs more money (which he can live on).
5. She is not someone (whom anyone would be jealous of).
6. The girl doesnt have many friends (with whom she can play).
7. There is no one here (that you need to be afraid of).
8. There are still many things (that I must take care of).